Dr. Laura Cowen appointed Acting Dean of Science
Dr. Laura Cowen has been appointed Acting Dean of Science for a one-year term beginning January 1, 2025.
Cowen came to UVic in 2005 as an assistant professor of statistics and has risen through the ranks to full professor. She spent a year as Associate Chair in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics before taking on the newly created role of Associate Dean, Research in the Faculty of Science in July 2020.
“I look forward to working in this new role, especially with the support of the Dean’s office staff--they are a fantastic team. I hope to build on the incredible work already underway in our Faculty and continue advancing our strategic plan.”
- Laura Cowen, Acting Dean of Science
Cowen fills a one-year gap in the role. Peter Loock’s first term as Dean of Science ended on December 31, 2024, and he is currently taking a year of administrative leave. He has been successfully ratified for reappointment, and his second five-year term will begin on January 1, 2026.
A few things to know about Dr. Cowen
A statistician conducting research on a wide-range of topics
Cowen is an ecological statistician whose major focus of research is capture-recapture methodology, which is widely used as a method of estimating population abundance, survival, recruitment and migration rates or to enumerate hidden or hard-to-reach human populations. Cowen’s work applies this methodology to research questions in wildlife, fisheries and public health and has included estimating the number of hidden COVID-19 cases in British Columbia, developing models for disease analytics, enumerating Victoria’s homeless population, examining California sea cucumber abundance and movement on a commercial shellfish aquaculture farm, investigating the subsurface behaviour of humpback whales, and more.
Always focused on equity, diversity and inclusion
Cowen has centred equity, diversity and inclusion throughout her career. As Associate Dean, Research, she launched the Faculty of Science EDI council, which supports the Faculty in developing EDI-related policies, procedures and opportunities, and has supported the formation of an AISES.ca chapter on campus, advocated for floating spousal hires, facilitated the creation of the SURA Awards to support student researchers from underrepresented communities, and conducted climate surveys to better understand the student, faculty and staff experience in our Faculty as it relates to EDI. Cowen has also served as a member and chair of the Statistical Society of Canada’s Women in Statistics Committee, been a member of the UVic’s Department of Mathematics & Statistics EDI committee, founded the Western North American Region of the International Biometric Society (WNAR)’s JEDI committee, established WNAR’s Indigenous student travel scholarship, and spoken on several EDI-related panels.
Weaving in sustainability
Sustainability is an integral part of Cowen’s life. She is an avid e-biker and can be found riding her e-bike to and from campus every day, rain or shine, warm or cold. To support her vegan lifestyle choices, she has planted a garden in her yard, which consists mostly of edible or native plants. She has installed solar panels on her house, and also has an outdoor shower (used only in the warmer months!), where the run-off is used to water nearby plants and trees.
Travels in style
Cowen owns an old-school 1976 Hollidaire camping trailer and has taken it on family trips to French Beach and Cowichan Lake. She hasn’t ventured further than that with the trailer, as she’s not quite sure it would survive a longer trip! Her family has named the trailer the "Grey Pearl," but it is sometimes referred to as the "Grey Peril."
Living the Victoria life
In addition to spending lots of time on Victoria’s bike paths, Cowen also spends much of the summer kayaking and swimming in the Gorge with her family. The outdoor shower comes in handy here!